Grab a beverage and learn a little more about our resident Pet Photographer Extraordinaire, Angie Kerns--coming to us from Sunny Florida:
How would you describe yourself in three sentences?
I have an obsessive personality and
when I get involved with something or someone, I am all in – sometimes this
leads to me getting hurt but everything I’ve been through, good and bad, has
lead me to where I am now and I have no regrets. I am an introvert and use my photography
to tell my stories. I am not a worrier and know that everything in life happens
for a reason and always has a way of working itself out.
What sparked your passion for Photography?
I
have always loved taking pictures. I have about 300 pictures of the sky that I
took with a cheap 35mm camera (one of those ones that have no other buttons but
a winder) when I was just a kid. I loved that my mom entertained this and I
remember taking them to the local drugstore to develop them. The anticipation
was so exciting. They’re all so terrible but I still have them. ;) I started
getting into photography more seriously when I won a bridge camera with an
image I submitted to a Purina contest of my dog Nala a few years back. Photographs
are a tangible reminder of a memory that may have been lost. I love being able
to stop time with the click of a button.
What’s in your camera bag?
I am
a Canon girl with a 5D Mark III, a Canon 50mm 1.4, Tamron 28-75mm 2.8, and a
Canon 85mm 1.8. Other items in my bag include lens hoods, remote, lens pen,
pens, business cards, a point and shoot (it’s a Nikon…gasp!!), Wet Ones wipes,
chalk, 3 squeeky tennis balls, doggy poop bags, and a rag for cleaning slobber.
What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?
The
camera I won in that contest was a Kodak Z-series bridge camera (more advanced
than a p&s but not quite a DSLR). I shot as close to manual as possible
with this thing and learned all about the exposure triangle. I was starting to
get seriously limited by this camera and I told my husband about my desire to
have an entry level DSLR. I was surprised on Christmas day 2009 with a Canon
T2i – that my mother-in-law got me!! Best present EVER!
If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose
and why?
Hmm,
that’s a tough one. Right now, I’d have to say the 85mm. I have to back up a
bit but the bokeh is dreamy and it’s so sharp!
What advice would you give your “just starting out self”?
I
would remind myself that photography is a journey, not a race. And that the
only photographer I should ever compare myself to is the one that I was
yesterday.
Biggest “Wow, what was I thinking?!” edit fiasco?
It
wasn’t too long ago that I edited a picture with selective color. I cringe when
I look at that photo now!
Current Photog crush?
There
are two pet photographers whose work I adore - Nicole Begley and Charlotte
Reeves. Both started out in the animal field (Nicole was an animal trainer at
Animal Kingdom and Charlotte is currently a veterinarian). Their love for
animals is seen in every shoot they do. Their foundation for photography was
built on a true passion for what they shoot and I admire that. They also
inspire me with how much they give back by photographing shelter and rescue
animals to help get them into forever homes.
If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?
I
would love to have a photograph of my grandmother and my daughter. She passed
away just over a year ago. My daughter is her kindred spirit. Emily is small
but mighty; a strong-willed, feisty, and sometimes ornery little girl. And I
can see so much of my grandmother in her and what I imagine she was like when
she was a little girl. My grandmother was a fighter up until the very end and I
will tell my daughter stories of her strength, her courageousness, and her amazing
passion for her beliefs. She stood strong in her faith and that is what carried
her through to her last moments here on earth. I wish I had captured their
connection in a photograph.
Describe your style in 3 words.
Relaxed,
fun, classic
Best photography purchase? Worst?
My
Canon Mark III. I even took him to bed with me on our first night together. ;) Worst
would probably be a cheapy canvas deal off of one of those deal sites. I have a
coupon for 4 16x20 canvases for $99 but have yet to redeem it because I know
the quality will stink.
Any Photography related Goals for 2013?
In
January of 2013 I set a goal to open a photography business and to hang my
shingle on January 1st, 2014. I gave myself one full year to learn, to grow,
and to make sure this was really what I wanted before I jumped in. I am well on
my way and can’t believe how much I’ve accomplished and also that January is
just around the corner…scary and exciting all at the same time!
What’s your most recent “Ah HA!” moment related to photography?
I
just recently read about zone metering and love it!
Biggest Photography related insecurity?
Sharing
my work. I take lots of photos and so many of them sit on my computer without
being shared. It’s hard for me to imagine people want to see what I’m putting
out there, ya know?
What kind of Camera bag do you rock?
I
have a backpack style Lowerpro Fastpack 250. I am so not a purse girl and the
backpack works perfectly.
What do you think your next photography related investment will be?
Another
lens! I really want a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8.
If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs, what would
that be?
Support.
Honestly, no amount of gear, books, classes, helps you grow faster than the
encouragement of those that care about you and your journey. Deciding to take
the Clickin’ Moms class and to stick around with a group of girls to chat
photography was the best decision I have made in my photography journey to
date. So consider this my P52 shout out to our amazing group! I love you all so
much and you mean more to me than you could ever know!
What would you say your biggest muse is?
My
children. They are everything to me and are the reason I am pushing so hard to
be a photographer professionally. I want them to be proud of me when they are
grown and know that in everything I did, it was for them.
Are you in or plan to be in business?
Working
on it! Piece by piece and slowly but surely. I would love to do this full time
and be able to be there for my children as they grow while doing something that
I’m truly passionate about.
Favorite Color:
Green
Favorite food or recent yummy recipe? (Link?)
I
don’t cook. At all. Sorry that I have no recipe to share! I LOVE barbeque
though and get sweet and smokey ribs from our local barbeque place at least
twice a month if not more often. Oh, and I can’t forget the fried okra with
that and a big ole’ sweet tea!
Biggest guilty pleasure:
TV.
My husband and I have probably 30+ shows we DVR. We always wait to watch them
together. Ironically, our favorites are cooking reality shows. Gordon Ramsey is
awesome. Oh, and peanut M&M’s. I will eat an entire family-sized bag in a
weekend.
Pet Peeve:
Grammar.
I hate text speak and will type out every single word when writing a text. It
drives me crazy when people say “supposably” - it’s supposedly. And I’m going
to be super embarrassed if you happen upon any grammatical errors in my writing
here.
Current favorite song?
I
love country music but my current favorite songs are “Blurred Lines” by Robin
Thicke and “Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A
mechanical engineer. I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant but I knew it had
to do with math and it sounded cool. That was my first registered major in
college but I switched a few semesters in.
One thing no one knows about you is:
I’ve
never done a single drug or had even one puff of a cigarette.
Pc or Mac:
Mac.
Lightroom Or Photoshop:
Photoshop
CS6
If you could travel anywhere it would be:
I
would actually just love to travel around the U.S. See all the touristy sites.
Take my kids to DC and the Grand Canyon. I would love to rent an RV and have
road trips every summer with my family.
Favorite photo ever taken
This
changes all the time but I would say just for the nostalgia of it, this picture
of my daughter, snuggling with her blanket (that I made for her!) and
“cow-baby”.
Raw or Jpeg:
Raw
Favorite Quote:
This
is one I use in my classroom all the time and is what pushes me to learn more: “If
you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” ~Albert
Einstein
Most valued material possession:
As
cliché as it may be, definitely my photographs.
Coffee or Tea:
At
the beginning of the summer, I would’ve said tea, hands down. However, I
recently discovered that coffee isn’t so terrible and will have a cup or two on
the weekends.
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be?
I
wouldn’t necessarily photograph a “celebrity” but I’d love to photograph from
the sidelines an FSU football game. There’s something exciting about a college
player on the brink of making it to the pros…being able to capture those
moments just before they set off to fulfill their ultimate dream would be
really neat.
***And because I LOVE Inside The Actor’s Studio:
What is your favorite word?
Awesome.
What is your least favorite word?
I
don’t really have one but if I had to choose I’d say cleaning but it’s what I
hate to do the most.
What turns you on?
My
love language is words of affirmation. Recognizing small accomplishments or
things I’m proud of goes a long way with me.
What turns you off?
Arrogance,
acting as if you can do no wrong.
What sound do you love?
Baby
chatter on the monitor
What sound do you hate?
Nails
on a chalkboard.
What is your favorite curse word?
Uhmm,
the F-word. I never say it in public, in fact I don’t curse at all around other
people. But at home, it’s my favorite, especially when I’m upset.
What profession other than yours (and photographer) would you like to
attempt?
When
I was in high school, I wanted to be a professional golfer. Obviously I wasn’t
good enough to actually do it professionally but it was my dream and I wrote
that in everyone’s yearbook. “Look for me in the LPGA!” I’d love to be on the
tour and just play golf every day for a living.
What profession would you not like to do?
Anything
where I would have to be alone or working at night. I hate the dark!
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at
the pearly gates?
You
have lived your life to the fullest potential and used your gifts to the utmost
ability.
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